Government

By Patrick Yeagle Gov. Bruce Rauner on Friday vetoed earlier this month a bill which would have created a state-run insurance provider for workers' compensation. The veto comes amid debate over whether private insurers bilk employers through allegedly outsize premiums. In 2011, Illinois adopted several changes to its workers' compensation system, including lowering reimbursement for [...]

By Patrick Yeagle Gov. Bruce Rauner, pictured here at his inauguration in 2015. Gov. Bruce Rauner last week vetoed a bill which would have raised the statewide minimum wage to $15 per hour. The bill's sponsors vow an override vote attempt, but it likely lacks enough support to reach the required three-fifths majority. [...]

By Patrick Yeagle Illinois renewed a tax credit last week aimed at spurring investment in new technology companies. The previous "angel investment" tax credit expired at the end of last year, but on Aug. 24, Gov. Bruce Rauner signed a law renewing it through 2021. Angel investment loosely refers to individuals or groups using their [...]

By Patrick Yeagle The former Goodwill building at 815 N. 11th St. is undergoing renovation to house Capitol Reuse Center Inc. The former Goodwill building on North 11th Street in Springfield is slated to become the new headquarters for a different nonprofit. Capitol Reuse Center Inc. purchased the building at 815 N. 11th [...]

The City of Springfield recently issued the following permits: Capitol Reuse Center LLC obtained a permit for non-structural demolition at 815 N. 11th St. Mark Iversen is the contractor. The project is valued at $3,000. The City of Springfield obtained a permit for remodeling, tuck pointing and sealant work at 800 E. Monroe. The project [...]

The Springfield Planning and Zoning Commission is slated to consider a zoning reclassification for 101 W. North Grand Ave. to allow for new signage directing visitors to Oak Ridge Cemetery. The request by Cooney Clan LLC and Oak Ridge Cemetery Foundation would allow new signage directing people to the cemetery, Lincoln's Tomb and the African [...]

By Patrick Yeagle The City of Springfield hopes to use TIF money to alleviate flooding on Jackson Street downtown, which could facilitate development of the empty North Mansion Block. The city's economic development panel voted Tuesday to okay a request from the city to use TIF money for the project's planning. The request now needs [...]

By Patrick Yeagle Ponics Project owner Jeremy Mann, shown here at his building in 2016, had hoped to establish a hydroponic garden and community center at 1901 Elizabeth St. Photo by Patrick Yeagle. The City of Springfield this week began demolishing a north-end building constructed in 1885. A demolition permit was issued this [...]

The Carpenter Street underpass, built as part of the rail relocation, opened to traffic last year. Photo by Patrick Yeagle. By Patrick Yeagle Springfield's ongoing rail relocation project took a step forward last week with the release of $16 million in federal funding. The money, which comes from two grants, will help pay [...]

Karen Davis announces her resignation at the July 18 city council meeting. By Patrick Yeagle Karen Davis is resigning as director of Planning and Economic Development for the City of Springfield. Davis made the announcement Tuesday at the Springfield City Council meeting. She has served in the position since June 2015, when she [...]